Who we are
The Government Health and Safety Lead (GHSL) was formed in 2017 under the leadership of Ray Smith, then Chief Executive of the Department of Corrections. The GHSL moved to the Ministry of Primary Industries in 2019 following Ray Smith’s appointment as Director-General.
The GHSL is a small team tasked with providing practical support to chief executives and senior leaders of government agencies to enable their personal leadership of health and safety for the benefit of all New Zealanders.
The GHSL works with 39 public service and other government agencies to:
- strengthen system capability
- build cross-sector relationships that sustain learning and intelligence about what works
- raise awareness of issues and opportunities
- support sharing of proactive and joined up responses
- develop system resources where is it practical to do so.
The GHSL Team
Tina Paterson - Director
Tina.Paterson@mpi.govt.nz
Braden Lister - Principal Adviser H&S
Braden.Lister@mpi.govt.nz
Millie Thompson - Senior Adviser H&S
Amelia.Thompson@mpi.govt.nz
Debbie Bridge - Senior Adviser Workforce Development
Deborah.Bridge@mpi.govt.nz
Anita McGhie-Filkins - Executive Coordinator
Anita.McGhie-Filkins@mpi.govt.nz
Find out more about functional leadership in the New Zealand state sector on the Te Kawa Mataaho (Public Service Commission)(external link)(external link) website.
The Government Health and Safety Lead's website is sponsored by the Accident Compensation Corporation and WorkSafe New Zealand.
